PRESS RELEASE

The 15^th Tripartite Meeting of the Heads of the European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (EUTELSAT IGO), the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) and the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) took place on 25 November 2024 at the ITSO Headquarters in Washington DC. Hosted by ITSO Director General, Mr. Patrick Masambu, the meeting was attended by Mr. Piotr Dmochowski-Lipski, Executive Secretary, EUTELSAT IGO, Mr. Laurent Parenté, Director General, IMSO and the newly elected Director General of ITSO, Dr. Renata Brazil-David, whose mandate starts in July 2025.

During the 15th Tripartite Meeting, the Heads of the three organizations reviewed the developments, challenges and successes related to their organizations since the last Tripartite meeting, which took place in London in October 2023. The discussions also focused on the rapid changes in the telecommunications sector with the rise of LEOs and the increasing importance of satellite connectivity which not only brings challenges but also many opportunities to the three IGOs. The three organizations discussed potential synergies and how they can best serve their member states by focusing on satellite policy and regulation and potentially offering additional capacity building to their membership. By coordinating efforts, the organizations aim to optimize their service to their respective Member States by reducing costs and increasing efficiencies.

The three organizations reaffirmed their commitment to work together to ensure the continued growth, sustainability  and stability of the global telecommunications sector. The three Organizations will continue their diligent and committed activities aimed at ensuring coverage and connectivity as well as securing public interests.  They also agreed to continue to meet on an annual basis and to further explore areas where the three Organizations could usefully cooperate. The next Tripartite Meeting will take place in Paris, France in the second semester of 2025.

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About EUTELSAT IGO
EUTELSAT IGO is the European Telecommunications Satellite Organization. Established by an international treaty, the intergovernmental organisation is headquartered in Paris and comprises 49 Member States. Its primary mission is to ensure that the company Eutelsat S.A. complies with the Basic Principles of the EUTELSAT Amended Convention. It also ensures continuity of the rights to use radiofrequencies and orbital locations which were assigned collectively to the Member States and the Organization by the International Telecommunication Union. EUTELSAT IGO is an active contributing member of the international telecommunications and space communities.
For more information, visit www.eutelsatigo.int

About IMSO
IMSO (The International Mobile Satellite Organization) is the intergovernmental organization which oversees certain public satellite safety and security communication services provided via the Inmarsat satellites and also co-ordinates the System for the Long-Range Identification and Tracking of ships (LRIT). IMSO is established under the provisions of the Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization which also defines the public services, such as satellite services for the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS), which is subject to international oversight. Headquartered in London, UK, IMSO currently has 98 Member States.
For more information, visit www.imso.org

About ITSO
ITSO is an intergovernmental organization with 149-member states, that incorporates the principle set forth in Resolution 1721 (XVI) of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which established that communication by means of satellite should be available to the nations of the world as soon as practicable on a global and non-discriminatory basis. Originally established in 1973 as INTELSAT, the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization was restructured in 2001. The restructuring led to the creation of a private entity, Intelsat S.A. and to the continuation of the intergovernmental organization with a new acronym (ITSO). ITSO’s mission is to monitor the performance of Intelsat’s public service obligations and to safeguard the Parties’ Common Heritage.
For more information, visit www.itso.int